Wiccan Traditions: Church of Wicca

The Church of Wicca was founded by Gavin and Yvonne Frost. They offer correspondence courses in their brand of Wicca, which is sometimes called Celtic Wicca (not to be confused with the varied groups who practice their own forms of Celtic-flavored Wicca).

Until recently, this tradition was notorious for its more monotheistic view of deity and its exclusion of the Goddess. The Church of Wicca has just recently begun including a Goddess in their deity structure, but is very patriarchal as Wiccan traditions go.

The Church of Wicca terms itself "Baptist Wicca."

Wiccan Traditions: Celtic Wicca

This "tradition" really covers a number of individual traditions which follow the Celtic pantheons and holiday system. Each path is unique and stand alone, or could meld with another and still be part of the Celtic tradition. It is primarily derived from the ancient pre-Christian Celtic religions of Gaul and the British Isles.

As it is practiced today, most of the Celtic paths are part of the Neo-Pagan revival, focusing on Nature and healing with group and individual rituals that honor the Ancient Shining Ones and the Earth. Most are very eclectic, and hold to the Celtic myths, divinities, magic and rituals. Celtic paths are some of the more popular traditions.

Wiccan Traditions: British Traditional Wicca

The term "British Traditional" refers to a variety of traditions which originated in the British Isles and which have certain characteristics in common. There is a mix of Celtic and Gardnerian beliefs, mostly based on the Farrar studies.

Worship of the God and Goddess is balanced, covens are co-ed, and there is a degree system. The New Wiccan Church is a federation of British Traditions (Gardnerian, Alexandrian, Mohisian, and Central Valley Wicca-Kingstone, Majestic Order and Silver Crescent). NWC is dedicated to preserving initiatory Craft.

Wiccan Traditions: Blue Star Wicca

Founded in 1976 Norristown, PA by Frank Dufner ("the Wizard") and Tzipora Katz, who later moved to Manhattan where they trained and initiated a number of people. Blue Star's early rituals were based on Alexandrian and Greco-Roman Traditions.

After Frank and Tzipora's divorce, in the early 1980's, Kenny Klein became high priest, steering the Tradition towards a more traditional British form, discarding Alexandrian and ceremonial rituals and replacing them with British Isles folkloric Craft practices.

Wiccan Traditions: Aquarian Tabernacle Church

An American Tradition of Wicca based on English Traditional Wicca. It is focused on service to the larger Wiccan and Pagan community through open worship gatherings. ATC was founded in 1979 by Pierre "Pete Pathfinder" Davis. The church is based in Index, WA, where it owns a Retreat House as well as an outdoor sanctuary with a ring of standing menhirs set in an old growth cedar forest.

The ATC is a fully tax exempt legal Wiccan church in the USA, Canada and Australia, with approximately 30 congregations in these countries as of 1997. ATC provides regular, open worship circles and also sponsors several annual festivals.

Wiccan Traditions: Amethystian Wicca

Founded in 1968 by Lady Amethyst. The tradition is rooted in the Order of the Garter, Order of the Royal Oak. Amethystian Wiccan is traditional with lots of Hermetic beliefs; dedicated to preserving old traditions while growing into a new generation of enlightened ones. This tradition teaches by example in daily life, at home and at work, as well as when among our own. Known through work and deeds. This traditions believes in a strict code of ethics exemplified by one's actions and abides by the Wiccan Rede.

Wiccan Traditions: Algard Wicca

Mary Nesnick, an American initiate in Gardnerian and Alexandrian traditions, founded this 'new' tradition. It brings together both Gardnerian and Alexandrian teachings under a single banner.

Wiccan Traditions: Alexandrian

Alexandrian Wicca Founded in England during the 1960's by Alexander Sanders, self-proclaimed "King of the Witches." An offshoot of Gardnerian, Alexandrian covens focus strongly upon training, emphasizing on areas more generally associated with ceremonial magic, such as Qabalah, Angelic Magic and Enochian.

The typical Alexandrian coven has a hierarchical structure, and generally meets weekly, or at least on Full Moons, New Moons and Sabbats. Rituals are usually done skyclad.

Though Alex Sanders claimed to have been initiated by his grandmother into the Craft as a toddler, it is said that he in fact began training with a Gardnerian coven and then left, but not before copying as much of the Gardnerian Book of Shadows as possible. This is a common explanation for the many similarities between the two traditions.

Janet and Stewart Farrar were originally initiated as Alexandrians but spent a good part of their publishing career trying to recombine the two.

A Pagan Woman's 13 Affirmations

1. I honor the energy of *birch*, for a new beginning. I am able to change myself as I will to do. So mote it be!

2. I honor the energy of *rowan* for protection against evil enchantment.I will not hobble myself with the chains of past failures. So mote it be!

3. I honor the energy of *alder*, for the protection of my inner oracle. Iwill listen to the voice of the Goddess Within. So mote it be!

4. I honor the energy of *willow*, for the lunar rhythms within me as a woman. I will recognize and heed my own body's cycles. So mote it be!

5. I honor the energy of *ash*, the magician's staff. I will recognize that "as above, so below," I play a part in the larger scheme of things. I will link my inner and outer worlds. So mote it be!

6. I honor the energy of *hawthorn* for cleansing and restraint. I will choose what I place within my body, and empty myself of all that violates my personal well-being. So mote it be!

7. I honor the energy of *oak*, the doorway to the mysteries. I will call upon the strength of the Horned One when I feel in need of protection. So mote it be!

8. I honor the energy of *holly*, spear of the warrior. I will not remain passive and victimized, but will choose to fight for my own freedom. So mote it be!

9. I honor the energy of *hazel*, the tree of wisdom. I will heed my own inner intuitions, and will be wise and informed in my choices. So mote itbe!

10. I honor the energy of *vine*, the tree of conviviality and celebration. I will love myself and will celebrate life, not seeing the choices I make as deprivations but gifts. So mote it be!

11. I honor the energy of *ivy*, the spiral to center. I will do all that I do because of my own inner desires. I will listen to myself, and will remain balanced and centered while I do this work. So mote it be!

12. I honor the energy of *reed*, the tool of the hunt. I will take direct action when necessary to protect myself, including the "killing" of old patterns, friendships and associations which harm me. So mote it be!

13. I honor the energy of *elder* which sees the end from the beginning. Throughout many lifetimes I have been here. I have the knowledge that I have changed myself again and again. I will start from where I am now, and continue to persist in my path. I will succeed. So mote it be!

~Source Unknown~

The Chant to Cast a Spell

O ancient ones of heaven, earth and sea,
We chant the coven spell, thus shall it be!
To music of the night-wind blowing free,
We chant the coven spell, thus shall it be!
The owl hoots within the hollow tree,
The black cat runs by night silently,
The toad beneath the stone dwells secretly,
We chant the coven spell, thus shall it be!
To moon that draws the tides of air and sea,
We chant the coven spell, thus shall it be!
To God that bides beneath the greenwood tree,
We chant the coven spell, thus shall it be!
By witches' garter bound about the knee,
By staff and cauldron and all powers that be,
We will the thing in our minds we see,
We chant the coven spell, thus shall it be!

(Pause to let the power grow..........)

The Spell is flowing like the sea,
The spell is growing like the tree,
Like flame that burns and blazes free.
We chant the spell, thus shall it be!
We chant the spell, thus shall it be!
We chant the spell, thus shall it be!
IT IS!

~Source Unknown~